It’s taken me a couple of weeks to recover from my first album release in 8 years! But I did want to share a highlights reel from the evening, and my gratitude to everyone involved for an amazing release event in New York.
-First, thanks to the American Songbook Association and their team – Carolyn Montgomery, Frank Dain and Craig Pomeranz for getting behind this event to celebrate not just a new album, but the everlasting joy of The Great American Songbook, both classic and modern.
-Thanks to Betsyann Faiella at SavoyPR for helping us to arrange the venue and getting the word out about the show.
-Thanks to all the team at The Triad Theatre, including Gene Castle, Michael Doane, Jon Furshpan, and all the of the staff that took care of our guests.
-Super special thanks to JP Perreaux for his technical direction PLUS his original recording expertise back in 2008 that made the album possible.
-Big thanks to our smokin’ hot band: Eric Halvorson on drums, Justin Rothberg on guitar, Tom Hubbard on bass (and on the album!) and Kelly Park, musical director/arranger/pianist, my co-composer and friend for nearly 20 years.
-Next, I’d like to thank the guest artists who covered the songs that I can no longer sing: Jennifer Roberts, Lennie Watts, Mary Foster Conklin, Spencer Day and Billy Stritch. It’s a difficult task to come in, learn new songs, sing with a new band, sing the songs in front of their composers, AND do it all as volunteers. You guys are incredible – thank you so much!
-Finally, thank you to the composers and lyricists who are still adding chapters to the Songbook that we all love & celebrate: Andrew Lippa, Harry Connick, Jr., Ramsey McLean, Peter Cincotti, Cynthia Cincotti, John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, Michael Feinstein, Lionel Richie, Maury Yeston, Ronny Whyte, Francesca Blumenthal, Tony DeSare, Mike Lee, Cynthia Thompson, Ray Jessel, and especially Bob Levy who was in the audience when we recorded the album back in 2008, and was at the release event 15 years later. My heart is full of gratitude for you all.